FBI Retired Case File Review with Jerri Williams

Retired agent Herbert Cousins, Jr. served in the FBI for nearly 22 years. He retired as the Special Agent in Charge of the Springfield Division in Illinois. In this episode of FBI Retired Case File Review, he reviews his investigation of self-proclaimed black messiah and cult leader Hulon Mitchell Jr., also known as Yahweh Ben Yahweh, who led the Florida-based Nation of Yahweh Temple. The Nation of Yahweh was a religious cult founded on the teachings of black separatism and supremacy. On the instructions of Yahweh Ben Yahweh, members of the cult’s violent inner circle committed numerous murders of cult defectors and random racial killings of whites. Yahweh and several of his followers were charged and convicted under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), with predicated violations of murder, attempted murder, arson, and extortion. During his Bureau career, Herbert Cousins specialized in counterterrorism, counterintelligence, and criminal and security matters. After retiring from the FBI, he served for a period of time as the Inspector General for the Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the fourth largest school district in the United States. Currently, Herbert Cousins is the owner of Cousins&Associate, an agency that provides private corporate security consulting, investigation, and litigation support on a national and international level. Special Agent in Charge Herbert Cousins, Jr. 1/11/1982 – 7/1/2003                         The following links are to a video of an FBI Files episode and newspaper articles about the Yahweh Temple of Love and its leader Yahweh Ben Yahweh: The FBI Files (VIDEO): Season 3 – Ep 10 “Temple of Fear” New York Times – 11/8/1990:  F.B.I. Arrests Members of Black Sect in 14 Slayings Miami Herald – 11/8/1990:  Yahweh sect leader, 16 followers indicted, grand jury links group to 14 deaths Miami Herald – 1/6/1996:  Murder in the temple of love? FOX News – 5/8/2007:  ‘Temple of Love’ Black Supremacist Cult Leader Yahweh Ben Yahweh Dies at 71 Daily Mail – 1/28/2017:  Chilling images inside the ‘church’ of a murderous black supremacy cult        

Retired agent Raymond Holcomb served in the FBI for nearly 22 years. His Bureau assignments involved espionage, counter-narcotics, national security, and Special Weapons and Tactics, and took him across America, the Middle East, Afghanistan, and Africa. In this episode of FBI Retired Case File Review, Ray Holcomb discusses his FBI Counterterrorism post 9/11 responsibilities as the Section Chief of the FBI’s Operational Response Section which managed the FBI Fly Away/Rapid Deployment Team, the FBI’s Military Liaison/Detainee Unit and the National Joint Terrorism Task Force (NJTTF). The National JTTF Unit oversaw the operations and budget of nearly 60 state-based terrorism task forces. The Military Liaison/Detainee Unit oversaw agents detailed worldwide to Unified Combatant Commands and the FBI’s role in the interrogation of prisoners at the Guantanamo Bay detention facility. During the course of his career as a counterterrorism investigator, Ray established extensive relationships with foreign police and intelligence services and after retiring from the FBI, he worked for 8 years as a Strategic Planner with the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC); and for 4 years as a State of Delaware Homeland Security Advisor. He currently serves as a consultant to the federal government on terrorism and other national security-related matters. Ray Holcomb is the author of Endless Enemies: Inside FBI Counterterrorism in which he writes about leading the FBI’s elite cadre of counterterrorism agents who were at the helm of every major post-9/11 investigation. Section Chief (Retired) Raymond  Holcomb 4/15/1984 – 1/1/2006                           The following are links to FBI website articles about the National Joint Terrorism Task Forces and news articles about FBI Counterterrorism Post 9/11: FBI Website – What We Investigate:  National Joint Terrorism Task Forces FBI Website – Robert S. Mueller, III: Statement on the progress of the FBI’s transformation efforts – 9/14/2006 Harvard Business School – 4/27/2016: How the FBI Reinvented Itself After 9/11 Newseum – 9/9/2016: Inside Today’s FBI: After 9/11                                                                                                   Jerri Williams, a retired FBI agent, author and podcaster, attempts to relive her glory days by writing crime fiction and hosting FBI Retired Case File Review, a true crime podcast available for subscription on

Retired agent Raymond Holcomb served in the FBI for nearly 23 years. His Bureau assignments involved espionage, counter-narcotics, national security, and Special Weapons and Tactics, and took him across America, the Middle East, Afghanistan, and Africa. In this episode of FBI Retired Case File Review, Ray Holcomb discusses FBI hero and legend John O’Neill and working in Yemen with fellow agent Ali Soufan on the USS Cole bombing and 9/11 investigations. Both John O’Neill and Ali Soufan are featured in the Hulu TV series The Looming Tower. While assigned to the New York Office, Ray Holcomb was appointed Commander of the 50 member FBI New York SWAT team. Under his leadership, the team assumed an expanded role and, in addition to regular involvement in high-risk domestic arrests, the team provided overseas security and enhanced investigative capability for FBI teams deploying in response to terrorist attacks involving U.S. citizens. Post 9/11, he was selected by then Director Mueller to stand up a new counterterrorism unit named the FBI Fly Away/Rapid Deployment Team. During the course of his career as a counterterrorism investigator, Ray established extensive relationships with foreign police and intelligence services and after retiring from the FBI, he worked for 8 years as a Strategic Planner with the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC); and for 4 years as a State of Delaware Homeland Security Advisor.  He currently serves as a consultant to the federal government on terrorism and other national security-related matters. Ray Holcomb is the author of Endless Enemies: Inside FBI Counterterrorism in which he writes about leading the FBI’s elite cadre of counterterrorism agents who were at the helm of every major post-9/11 investigation. Section Chief (Retired) Raymond  Holcomb 4/15/1984 – 1/1/2006                             The following are links to FBI website articles and the USS Cole bombing and the FBI’s response to 9/11, as well as newspaper articles about John O’Neill and the TV series about him: FBI Website – Famous Cases:  USS Cole Bombing FBI Website – Famous Cases:  9/11 Investigation The History Channel – Road to 9/11: Bonus – Special Agent John O’Neill | History The New Yorker – 1/14/2002: John O’Neill was an F.B.I. agent with an obsession: the growing threat of Al Qaeda Washington Post – 2/22/2018:  He hunted bin Laden — then died in 9/11. Now the FBI legend is the center of a new TV show The Looming Tower Trailer (Official) • A Hulu Original                          

Retired agent Oliver “Buck” Revell served in the FBI for 30 years. During his Bureau career, he assumed numerous leadership roles, culminating with his promotion to Associate Deputy Director in Charge of Investigations. In this episode of FBI Retired Case File Review, he reviews Operation Goldenrod and the capture of Fawaz Younis, the first overseas apprehension of an international terrorist. He also provides frank and transparent insight about the public perception of the FBI today. Operation Goldenrod” was the first time that new extra-territorial jurisdiction approved by Congress  was used. This legislation provided the FBI with authority to investigate terrorist acts in which Americans were taken hostage, no matter where the acts occurred. Buck Revell is the author of A G-Man’s Journal: A Legendary Career Inside the FBI- From The Kennedy Assassination to the Oklahoma City Bombing. Currently, he is the founder and President of a global business and security-consulting firm, based in Rowlett, Dallas County, Texas. You can find out more about the firm’s services at the Revell Group International. Associate Deputy Director (Retired) Oliver “Buck” Revell 11/16/1964 – 8/31/1994                         The following are links to additional information and newspaper articles about Operation Goldenrod, the first time the FBI was authorized to investigate terrorist acts in which Americans were taken hostage, no matter where the acts occurred: FBI Website – Fawaz Younis/Operation Goldenrod The FBI Files: Season 6 – Ep 18 “Operation Goldenrod” New York Times – 9/18/1987:  Lebanese Suspect in ’85 Hijacking Arrested by the F.B.I. While at Sea New York Times – 9/19/1987:  Friend Led Terror Suspect to F.B.I., Lawyer Says LA Times – 3/17/1989:  Lebanese Terrorist Younis Unrepentant About Hijacking, Says He’d Do It Again Washington Post – 3/29/2005:  Convicted Terrorist Deported To Lebanon After Prison Term                                                                                                 In 1998, Buck Revell wrote the following in the third paragraph of the epilogue of his memoir, A G-Man’s Journal.

Retired agent Tony Robleto served in the FBI for 25 years. He spent most of his stateside Bureau career in California with assignments in the San Francisco, San Diego Division, and the Los Angeles Divisions. He also spent significant time working for the FBI in Mexico as an Assistant Legal Attaché (ALAT) in Mexico City where he was responsible for criminal and as a Border Liaison Officer (BLO) during his time in San Diego. In this episode of FBI Retired Case File Review, Tony Robleto reviews three of the numerous murder cases and fugitive apprehensions and extraditions he was involved in during his various assignments with the FBI in Mexico, including the capture of a man who raped and killed a woman in New Orleans and fled to Mexico, a man who threatened a U.S. Congresswoman and fled to Mexico, and an American man who stabbed his American boyfriend 24 times while they vacationed in Mexico and then fled back to the U.S. During his Mexico assignments, Tony Robleto, who is a native Spanish speaker, conducted investigative leads with the assistance of local Mexican law enforcement partners, arranged case coordination meetings between US and Mexican prosecutors, conducted pre-trial interviews, and legalized evidence for use in US federal court. His efforts contributed significantly to the capture and extradition of the main subjects involved in a U.S. Consulate murder investigation. This investigation was the recipient of the 2011 Legat Office Investigative Excellence Award. Tony Robleto retired from the Bureau last year and currently resides in San Diego, California. Special Agent (Retired) Tony Robleto 7/14/1991 – 1/31/2017                       The following  are links to an FBI website story about the Mexico Legal Attaché Office and newspaper articles about some of the case Tony Robleto worked for the FBI in Mexico including the conviction of the man convicted of vehicle homicide and rape, the Rep. Tulsi Gabbard fugitive investigations, and newspaper articles and a press release on the David Meza murder investigation: FBI.gov – 12/4/2015:  FBI Celebrates 75th Anniversary of Legal Attaché in Mexico City The Times-Picayune – 2/9/2012:  Lafreniere Park killer Cerda-Anima sentenced to life in prison CNN – 8/29/2013:  Man charged in threats to Rep. Tulsi Gabbard LA Times – 8/29/2013:  Man arrested in Tijuana allegedly threatened Hawaii congresswoman People Crime – 12/11/2017:  Man Gets Life for ‘Near Decapitation’ of Wealthy Lover — Which He Covered Up with Girlfriend NY Daily News – 12/12/2017: Man sentenced to life in prison for murdering wealthy boyfriend over inheritance USAO SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA – 5/2/2017: 

Retired agent Ralph DiFonzo served in the FBI for 30 years. He was initially assigned to the Salt Lake City Division, and later to the Los Angeles Division where he worked on the Major Case Violent Crimes Squad and handled high-profile cases – kidnappings; bank robberies; celebrity stalkings; fugitive investigations and extortions. In this episode of FBI Retired Case File Review, Retired agent Ralph DiFonzo reviews his eight-year fugitive case to apprehend John Riccardi, wanted for the double murder of Connie Navarro and her friend Susan Jory. Connie Navarro was the mother of the Rock guitarist and singer-songwriter Dave Navarro who produced “Mourning Son” a documentary about the tragic event. Ralph DiFonzo appears in the film. As an FBI-certified Police Instructor, FBI SWAT Team member, Crisis Negotiator, and Crisis Management Coordinator, he supervised a Safe Streets Task Force when reassigned to the New Haven Division. Since his retirement, Ralph DiFonzo has provided training to law enforcement and private sectors throughout the United States. He works as a private investigator and a consultant with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s Team Adam and Project Alert. He also conducts security audits & assessments in schools and businesses. Ralph has appeared on various TV and radios programs and interviewed in various national newspapers and publications, offering his expertise and experience regarding ongoing high-profile criminal cases. Supervisory Special Agent (Retired) Ralph DiFonzo 1/11/1971 – 8/17/2001                         The following are links to newspaper articles and a documentary about the double murder committed by John Riccardi and how it affected the life of the victim’s son who was 15 years old at the time: Huffington Post – 12/15/2015:  Dave Navarro Opens Up About His Mother’s Murder In New Documentary New York Times – 11/30/2015:  Dave Navarro’s Mourning Son Tells the Story of His Mother’s Murder Mourning Son Trailer                                                                                                                     Jerri Williams, a retired FBI agent, author and podcaster, attempts to relive her glory days by writing crime fiction and hosting FBI Retired Case File Review, a true crime podcast available for subscription on Apple Podcast/iTunes...

Retired agent Gregory Coleman served with the FBI for more than 25 years. He specialized in investigating financial crimes, money laundering, and asset forfeiture. In this episode of FBI Retired Case File Review, Greg Coleman reviews the criminal investigation of Jordan Belfort and the brokerage firm Stratton Oakmont for securities fraud, stock manipulation, and money laundering. The case was chronicled in the Martin Scorsese movie, The Wolf of Wall Street, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. In the movie, Greg Coleman was portrayed by Kyle Chandler. During his Bureau career, Coleman was widely recognized as an anti-money laundering expert among his law enforcement colleagues and is a recipient of the Director’s Award (Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys) for Outstanding Contributions in Law Enforcement. Many of his investigations involved stock market manipulations where the proceeds were laundered through shell corporations and offshore bank accounts. Since his retirement, he has operated Coleman Worldwide Advisors, where he designs and delivers customized, highly interactive, live training related to the detection and prevention of money laundering and suspicious activity reporting.  The training incorporates actual real-life examples drawn from the experiences of Mr. Coleman and other law enforcement officers. Greg Coleman is also a frequent keynote speaker and guest lecturer discussing the Wolf of Wall Street investigation and more. He has spoken to audiences in 14 countries. To arrange for him to consult or speak, he can be contacted directly at 646-660-1010 or gregorycoleman2015 (at) gmail.com. You can find more information about him and Coleman Worldwide Advisors on Greg Coleman’s LinkedIn page. Special Agent (Retired) Greg Coleman 5/21/1989 – 1/30/2015                     The following are links to newspaper articles about the Jordan Belfort and Stratton Oakmont investigation and the movie The Wolf of Wall Street: The New York Times – September 24, 1999: Stratton Oakmont Executives Admit Stock Manipulation CNN Money – June 20, 2000: Retailer (Steve Madden) charged with fraud The New York Times – December 19, 2013: Investors’ Story Left Out of Wall St. ‘Wolf’ Movie The New York Times – January 7, 2014:  The Real Belfort Story Missing From ‘Wolf’ Movie                                                                          Jerri Williams, a retired FBI agent, author and podcaster, attempts to relive her glory days by writing crime fiction and hosting FBI Retired Case File Rev...

Retired agent Ed Petersen served with the FBI for more than 27 years. In this episode of FBI Retired Case File Review, he reviews the investigation of the kidnapping and murder of Exxon Oil Executive Sidney Reso. During his career, Petersen handled a variety of responsibilities to include the coordination of complex investigations involving white-collar type crime, fraud, embezzlement, organized crime, foreign counter-intelligence, terrorism and violent crimes, extortion, kidnapping, fugitive and bank robbery cases. Petersen was an FBI certified Hostage Negotiator, Police Instructor and S.W.A.T. Team coordinator. He also served as the FBI’s liaison with professional sports and other state, local and federal law enforcement agencies. Upon retiring, he became the Director of Security for Major League Baseball (MLB), Office of the Commissioner. and in this capacity, worked with all major league clubs regarding integrity of the game issues as well as facility security, trademark infringement and counterfeit products investigations. As co-founder of Buckley Petersen Global, Inc., he has contributed to security assessments and the development of crisis readiness and response plans for corporations, schools, hospitals and professional sports. Special Agent (Retired) Ed Petersen 6/16/1969 – 11/29/1996                       The following are links to newspaper articles about the kidnapping and murder of Exxon Oil executive Sidney Reso: People Magazine – July 6, 1992: Hoping Against Hope The New York Times – July 1, 1992: Twisted Tale of a Kidnapping And of Dreams Gone Wrong New York Daily News – May 22, 2010: Ransom gone bad Exxon oil executive Sidney Reso killed in kidnap try by Arthur and Irene Seale The Star-Ledger – January 21, 2010: Woman convicted in kidnapping, ransom of Exxon exec in Morris gets released NBC Connecticut – January 21, 2010: Exxon Exec Kidnapper Goes Free After 17 Years                                               Jerri Williams, a retired FBI agent, author and podcaster, attempts to relive her glory days by writing crime fiction and hosting FBI Retired Case File Review, a true crime podcast available for subscription on Apple Podcast/iTunes, Spotify,

Retired agent Joe Lewis served 27 years with the FBI. In this episode of FBI Retired Case File Review, Lewis reviews “SandBomb” the investigation of Eric Rudolph and the bombing of a Birmingham, Alabama abortion clinic that resulted in the death of off-duty police officer Robert Sanderson and severely injured a nurse. The case also identified Rudolph as the person responsible for the Olympic Park Bombing, as well as the bombing of another abortion clinic, and a nightclub all in Atlanta, Georgia. More than five years after the incident, Eric Rudolph was captured and pled guilty to the Birmingham bombing and the bombings in Atlanta. Joe Lewis led this investigation as the Special Agent in Charge of the Birmingham Division. During this time period, he also oversaw an investigation that reopened the infamous 1963 church bombing in Birmingham and led to the conviction of one of the conspirators. Prior to this assignment, Joe Lewis served in several other management positions including as the supervisor if the Chicago Division’s Public Corruption Squad. He retired from the FBI as the Deputy Assistant Director, Organized Crime Branch, Criminal Investigative Division in Charge of all Organized Crime Investigations and Intelligence. In the private sector, Joe Lewis served as Senior Director of Corporate Investigations for Walmart’s Global Security Division. He is now also retired from corporate life. Deputy Assistant Director (Retired) Joseph Lewis 10/19/1977 – 7/2/2004                         The following are links to newspaper articles about the Birmingham Abortion Clinic bombing and the captured and arrested of Eric Rudolph in Murphy, North Carolina by 21-year-old rookie police officer Jeff Postell: New York Times – January 30, 1998:  Bomb Kills Guard at an Alabama Abortion Clinic CNN – January 29, 1998: 1 dead, 1 critical in clinic bombing ABC News – May 31, 2003:  Olympic Bomb Suspect Rudolph Caught  Washington Post – July 19, 2005:  Clinic Bomber Gets 2 Life Sentences                         Jerri Williams, a retired FBI agent, author and podcaster, attempts to relive her glory days by writing crime fiction and hosting FBI Retired Case File Review, a true crime podcast available for subscription on

Retired agent Randy Wolverton served with the FBI for 28 years. During his Bureau career, Wolverton, a CPA, worked cases involving violent crime, white-collar crime, drugs, public corruption, domestic terrorism and health care fraud. In this episode of FBI Retired Case File Review, Randy Wolverton reviews a savings and loan fraud case that targeted real estate investor Leonard Pelullo. In spite of the testimony of LCN underboss Phillip Leonetti who admitted to brokering a disputed loan shark debt between Leonard Pelullo and a LCN protected loan shark, the case had to be tried four times before Leonard Pelullo’s final conviction was upheld, and he was sentenced to a 24-year prison term. Prior to retirement, Randy Wolverton was promoted to the Financial Crimes Section, Economic Crimes Unit at FBI Headquarters and was responsible for program management of corporate fraud, securities fraud, insurance fraud and mass-marketing fraud matters. After he retired from the FBI, he co-edited a book entitled “White Collar Crime – Core Concepts for Consultants and Expert Witnesses” published by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Randy Wolverton currently continues to work for the FBI as a contract Asset Forfeiture Investigator. Special Agent (Retired) Randy Wolverton 1/5/1981 – 12/1/2008                 The following are links to an appeals court opinion and newspaper articles about the trial(s) of real estate investor Leonard Pelullo for a multi-million dollar savings and loan fraud case: United States of America v. Leonard A. Pelullo, Appellant, 105 F.3d 117 (3d Cir. 1997) Los Angeles Times – 2/21/1991:  Jury Indicts Miami Investor in S&L Fraud  Los Angeles Times – 8/31/1991:  Miami Businessman Sentenced     Jerri Williams, a retired FBI agent, author and podcaster, attempts to relive her glory days by writing crime fiction and hosting FBI Retired Case File Review, a true crime podcast available for subscription on Apple Podcast/iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher and other popular podcast apps. Her debut novel—Pay To Play— about a female agent investigating corruption in the Philadelphia strip club industry is available now at amazon.com as an e-book, trade paperback, and audiobook.    This episode was sponsored by FBIRetired.com – the only on-line directory made available to the general public featuring “retired” FBI AGENTS / ANALYSTS interested in showcasing their skills to secure business opportunities.

Retired agent Bob Clifford served with the FBI for 24 years. In this episode of FBI Retired Case File Review, he reviews the organization and operation of the transnational gang MS-13, Mara Salvatrucha, the most dangerous gang in America. In November 2004, Bob Clifford was asked by then FBI Director Robert Mueller to accept a special assignment to FBIHQ to establish the FBI’s MS-13 National Gang Task Force, and served as its first Director. For the next 18 months, Bob led multi-agency and multi-national efforts to combat the infamous MS-13 and other violent transnational street gangs, to include several deployments throughout Central America to successfully garner international cooperation and intelligence-sharing. In addition to coordinating multiple law enforcement field operations, Bob was required to appear before White House, Congressional, and Cabinet-level officials on a regular basis. The task force is now known as the Transnational Anti-Gang (TAG) Task Force initiative. Bob Clifford was previously interviewed on Episodes 96 and 97 of FBI Retired Case File Review about his investigation and capture of the only surviving hijacker responsible for the hijacking of Egypt Air Flight 648. Special Agent (Retired) Robert Clifford 1/9/1989 – 6/30/2012                     The following are FBI, magazine, and newspaper articles about the violent gang and the FBI’s MS-13, Mara Salvatrucha National Gang Task Force, now known as the Transnational Anti-Gang (TAG) Task Force initiative: FBI Website – What We Investigate- Gangs Business Insider – 9/26/2015:  Photos of the men of El Salvador’s Penas Ciudad Barrios — a prison so dangerous even the guards stay outside Voice of America – 10/27/2009:  Latino Street Gangs a Major Law Issue in US The Christian Science Monitor – 2/24/2005:  FBI confronts new gang threat Newsweek – 3/27/2005:  THE MOST DANGEROUS GANG IN AMERICA Washington Times – 5/4/2005:  Gang follows illegal aliens         Jerri Williams, a retired FBI agent, author and podcaster, attempts to relive her glory days by writing crime fiction and hosting FBI Retired Case File Review, a true crime podcast available for subscription on Apple Podcast/iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher and other popular podcast apps. Her debut novel—Pay To Play— about a female agent investigating corruption in the Philadelph...

Retired agent Judy Tyler served 31 years with the FBI. In this episode of FBI Retired Case File Review, Judy reviews her investigation of the Maurice Lewis, aka “Mo Black,”  8th and Allegheny cocaine criminal enterprise and the surprising spin-off case involving the theft of Philadelphia’s historically significant architectural treasures that resulted in the conviction of Charles Kass, a former IRS and Labor Department agent. Judy has extensive experience in the investigation of violent drug trafficking organizations and advanced investigative techniques. She specialized in the recruitment, development, and operation of human intelligence,  also known as informants, and cooperating witnesses. During her career, she received awards from the Mid-Atlantic Region of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) and from the United States Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Post-retirement, Judy continues to share her experience and expertise as a contract instructor training current FBI agents as part of a specialized in-service program. (In Episode 3 of FBI Retired Case File Review, Judy was interviewed about two other drug investigations and her FBI career.) Special Agent (Retired) Judith Tyler 12/10/1979 – 7/31/2010                     The following are links to newspaper articles about the convictions of Maurice Lewis, and former IRS and Department of Labor federal agent Charles Kass: Philadelphia Daily News – 7/17/2003: Future’s grim for neighborhood ‘destroyer’ Philadelphia Inquirer – 7/18/2003: North Phila. drug boss gets life term Philadelphia Inquirer – 11/15/2000: Labor official admits role in thefts of relics Philadelphia Inquirer – 7/24/2005: Poaching the city’s building treasures                                                                   Jerri Williams, a retired FBI agent, author and podcaster, attempts to relive her glory days by writing crime fiction and hosting FBI Retired Case File Review, a true crime podcast available for subscription on Apple Podcast/iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher and other popular podcast apps. Her debut novel—Pay To Play

Retired agent Gary Noesner served in the FBI for more than 30 years, four as a support employee and 26 as a special agent. In this episode of FBI Retired Case File Review, Gary Noesner reviews his role, 25 years ago, as a hostage negotiator speaking with David Koresh and other members of the Branch Davidians during the Waco siege. He also reviews the Paramount Network’s 6-part TV mini-series, Waco.  During his Bureau career, Gary Noesner was an investigator, instructor, and hostage negotiator. A significant focus of his career was directed toward investigating and negotiating numerous crisis incidents covering prison riots, right-wing militia standoffs, religious zealot sieges, terrorist embassy takeovers, airplane hijackings, and over 120 overseas kidnapping cases involving American citizens. He continues to consult independently and speaks at law enforcement conferences and corporate gatherings around the world. He has appeared on numerous television news programs and documentaries and has been interviewed in major publications addressing hostage negotiation, terrorism, and kidnapping. Stalling for Time: My Life as an FBI Hostage Negotiator, the book he wrote about his career, serves as the basis for a six part mini-series on the 1993 Waco Siege incident airing on the Paramount Network in January and February 2018. Gary can be contacted for presentations and speeches via his website. Unit Chief (Retired) Gary Noesner 10/30/1972 – 1/3/2003                         The following are links to interviews  with Gary Noesner where he speaks about his role in the real and reel Waco siege: TIME – 1/23/2018:  How an FBI Agent and a Waco Survivor on Opposite Sides of the Deadly Standoff United for a New Show About the Tragedy NPR – 1/23/2018:  25 Years After The Tanks, Tear Gas And Flames, ‘Waco’ Returns To TV Megan Kelly Today – 1/22/2018:  Waco survivor, FBI hostage negotiator speak out 25 year later Time Magazine – 10/8/2010:  A Former FBI Negotiator on Waco and 30 Years of Standoff                                                          

I’m celebrating 100 episodes of FBI Retired Case File Review with a special crime fiction show exploring clichés and misconceptions about the FBI in books, TV, and movies. What most people know about the FBI comes from popular culture. This list features what writers of novels, scripts and screenplays sometimes get wrong about the Bureau and FBI agents. This is my second list. In Episode 50, I also wrote about this topic. Both lists were created for those who read and watch crime fiction about the FBI, write crime fiction and thrillers about the FBI, and who have always wanted to join the FBI. Why should you care if entertainment media gets things wrong about the FBI in books, TV, and movies? Why does it matter if films and novels occasionally contain false information about the FBI?   First of all, an educated audience is mentally thrown out of a story each time they read or watch something that’s inaccurate about the FBI. That’s not good. I’m sure writers want to keep readers and viewers engaged. Second of all, when someone writing a novel, script, or screenplay gets essential facts wrong, hundreds of thousands, possibly millions, of people now believe erroneous information about the FBI.     My co-host for this episode is retired agent Bobby Chacon. We have both “been there” and “done that.” As you may recall, Bobby was my co-host in Episode 50, and in Episode 8, I interviewed him about working Jamaican drug gang cases and leading the FBI dive team. I should be clear that as an author of FBI crime fiction I understand the use of creative license. I’m also aware that many of the clichés and misconceptions presented here are intentionally written into books, scripts, and screenplays due to time constraints and the need to create well-paced scenes and fully developed characters. These shortcuts are needed, at times, to tell a story in an entertaining way. Nevertheless, it’s also important to know how things really work. So, here are 10 more clichés and misconceptions about the FBI: #1   The FBI recruits only former police, military officers, attorneys, and accountants. Actually, candidates for the special agent position come from a vast variety of backgrounds. Some worked everyday jobs, such as teachers, nurses, sales managers, linguists, cyber/computer specialists, pilots, and engineers before joining the FBI. Others were in pre-FBI positions that you would never imagine, such as dentist, medical doctors, and scientists with Ph.Ds. Let me also add a note about age requirements. Although the qualifying age to join the FBI is 23, the average agent is 30 years old and has worked a managerial-level job for several years prior to receiving an appointment. The mandatory retirement age for GS 1811 series federal law enforcement officers is 57. Of course, an agent can receive a limited extension if his or her continued service is in the public’s interest. However, most agents retire from the FBI in their early 50’s to start post-FBI-retirement positions while they’re still marketable (ageism exists, even for FBI agents). Some TV shows cast actors that are too young or too old for the role of an FBI agent. #2   Female FBI agents wear low, cut tight-fitting clothes. TV shows like Quantico overemphasize the physical attributes of the actresses portraying female agents. In the real world, all agents wear attire appropriate for the specific work environment. Female FBI characters are also often depicted as single and childless, when in fact, most female agents, like their male counterparts, have families. It can be done. But like any other high-pressure position, it requires support to navigate the long days with unpredictable hours and out-of-town travel.

Retired agent William “Bill” Grace served more than 33 years with the FBI. In this episode of FBI Retired Case File Review, he reviews the “Wolf Ticket” investigation where 13 Philadelphia Roofers Union Local 30 officials were convicted of racketeering, extortion, and bribery. The case uncovered numerous ties between union leaders, organized crime, and public officials. The key to the successful investigation was the surreptitious recording devices installed in the union hall that secretly taped conversations between union leaders and others. Prior to his transfer to the Philadelphia Division, where he worked Labor Racketeering and Corruption cases in Philadelphia and South Jersey, Bill Grace was assigned to the Bureau’s Baltimore and New Haven Offices. He currently continues to work for the FBI as a contract Asset Forfeiture Investigator. William Grace Special Agent (Retired) 7/19/1976 – 12/3/2009                   The following are links to newspaper articles about the investigation of Roofers Union Local 30 for racketeering, extortion and bribery and a historical account of the “war” between the Roofers Union and the building trades that took place at Valley Forge, Peensylvania in 1972: Philly.com – April 29, 2016:  Stephen J. Traitz Jr., former Roofers Union chief UPI Archive – November 23, 1987:  Jury convicts Roofers Union leaders New York Times – November 8, 1987:  DEFENDANT BACKED BY 500 WITNESSES New York Times – November 8, 1987:  2 JUDGES AND 17 UNION OFFICIALS INDICTED IN PHILADELPHIA INQUIRY Reason Archives – October 1, 1972:  Union Terror in the Building Trades                           Jerri Williams, a retired FBI agent, author and podcaster, attempts to relive her glory days by writing crime fiction and hosting FBI Retired Case File Review, a true crime podcast available for subscription on iTunes and Stitcher. Her novel—Pay To Play— about a female agent investigating corruption in the Philadelphia strip club industry is available at Amazon.com as an e-book, trade paperback and audiobook.   This episode was sponsored by FBIRetired.com – the only on-line directory made available to the general public featuring “retired” F...